Strength Training with Blood Flow Restriction Diminishes Myostatin Gene Expression

Author(s)

Laurentino, Gilberto Candido ; Ugrinowitsch, Carlos ; Roschel, Hamilton ^{[1, 2]} ; Aoki, Marcelo Saldanha ^[3] ; Soares, Antonio Garcia ^[4] ; Neves, Jr., Manoel ^[1] ; Aihara, Andre Yui ^[5] ; Correa Fernandes, Artur Da Rocha ^[5] ; Tricoli, Valmor

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Div Rheumatol, BR-05508030 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, Dept Sport, BR-05508030 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Arts Sci & Humanities, BR-05508030 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, BR-05508030 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[5] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Radiol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE; v. 44, n. 3, p. 406-412, MAR 2012.
• Web of Science Citations: 160

Abstract

LAURENTINO, G. C., C. UGRINOWITSCH, H. ROSCHEL, M. S. AOKI, A. G. SOARES, M. NEVES JR, A. Y. AIHARA, A. DA ROCHA CORREA FERNANDES, and V. TRICOLI. Strength Training with Blood Flow Restriction Diminishes Myostatin Gene Expression. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 44, No. 3, pp. 406-412, 2012. Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine whether the similar muscle strength and hypertrophy responses observed after either low-intensity resistance exercise associated with moderate blood flow restriction or high-intensity resistance exercise are associated with similar changes in messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of selected genes involved in myostatin (MSTN) signaling. Methods: Twenty-nine physically active male subjects were divided into three groups: low-intensity (20% one-repetition maximum (1RM)) resistance training (LI) (n = 10), low-intensity resistance exercise associated with moderate blood flow restriction (LIR) (n = 10), and high-intensity (80% 1RM) resistance exercise (HI) (n = 9). All of the groups underwent an 8-wk training program. Maximal dynamic knee extension strength (1RM), quadriceps cross-sectional area (CSA), MSTN, follistatin-like related genes (follistatin (FLST), follistatin-like 3 (FLST-3)), activin IIb, growth and differentiation factor-associated serum protein 1 (GASP-1), and MAD-related protein (SMAD-7) mRNA gene expression were assessed before and after training. Results: Knee extension 1RM significantly increased in all groups (LI = 20.7%, LIR = 40.1%, and HI = 36.2%). CSA increased in both the LIR and HI groups (6.3% and 6.1%, respectively). MSTN mRNA expression decreased in the LIR and HI groups (45% and 41%, respectively). There were no significant changes in activin IIb (P > 0.05). FLST and FLST-3 mRNA expression increased in all groups from pre- to posttest (P < 0.001). FLST-3 expression was significantly greater in the HI when compared with the LIR and LI groups at posttest (P = 0.024 and P = 0.018, respectively). GASP-1 and SMAD-7 gene expression significantly increased in both the LIR and HI groups. Conclusions: We concluded that LIR was able to induce gains in 1RM and quadriceps CSA similar to those observed after traditional HI. These responses may be related to the concomitant decrease in MSTN and increase in FLST isoforms, GASP-1, and SMAD-7 mRNA gene expression. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/09820-5 - Strength training with vascular occlusion: hormonal, morphological and molecular changes
• Grantee: Valmor Alberto Augusto Tricoli
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants